Google is rolling out the Stagefright patch to Nexus devices as promised, but the bigger news alongside that announcement is a new update policy for Nexus devices. Going forward Google will release security patches for Nexus phones and tablets about once per month, which mirrors Samsung's recently announced Galaxy update program. Google is also making official the length of time you can expect to get Nexus updates.

The Stagefright update is beginning its rollout today, and you can expect a lot more patches for Nexus devices in the future. Google is committing to keeping the now-monthly security updates coming for either three years from initial availability in the Google Store or 18 months after it is removed from the store (whichever is longer). Major OS updates are guaranteed for two years from release.

If this sounds familiar, that's because we had a rumor post right before I/O this year with all these details. So our sources on this were spot on, it just wasn't announced at I/O. With Google and Samsung both ramping up security patches, it will be interesting to see if other OEMs follow suit. However, smaller Android makers probably won't have the capacity to keep up.

As for Stagefright, the patch is now live for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, Nexus 10, and Nexus Player. It's going out in waves, so give it some time.

my nexus got Android L(at end of 2nd year) which means i have the latest software for 3 years. on top of that you get security update in that 3 year.

and not a lot of people use a phone for more than 3 years. that's usually 2 years.
i guess this is acceptable

Jordan Smellie

I used my last phone for nearly 8 years. And the one before that for 4 years. I'm at 1.8 years on my Nexus 5, and if they keep releasing $600-800 Nexus phones, I'll probably have this Nexus 5 for 4 years or more. Not everyone switches phones constantly. I'm not on a cell contract, which means I don't get my phones subsidized every two years.

mobilemann

be fair, that's not nearly typical.

Jordan Smellie

Of course not, I'm just illustrating a point. With the recent (past year, give or take) rise of no-contract cell plans actually reaching prominence in the American mainstream, we're already seeing a LOT more people doing BYOD with their carrier of choice, often buying unlocked phones off-contract for full price. At the same time, cloud and streaming services are rapidly replacing activities that used to be strictly dependent on localstorage. If those two trends continue, people aren't going to be spending $750 for a new flagship every 18 months; they'll keep phones longer before replacing them.

Cool

Those same people could sell their old phone for at least a few hundred dollars to put a dent in the price of the new one. That has been common practice for years.

It's not like you're actually spending the full $750 that you mention, if you do that. My two cents.

pfmiller

Also hardware is getting to the point where there isn't an obvious need to upgrade frequently. I'm still using my Nexus 10 and it still does everything I need it to do. My Nexus 5 feels great still too. In the past I bought bought every other Nexus device, but I don't see any reason to replace my N5 yet.

When it comes down to it that may be the problem. Having no reason to upgrade may be great for the consumer, but it's not really great for the guys selling the new devices.

Brian

8 yr?? Wtf

Cael

it's 6 months longer than 18 months...

Kacho_ON

And 2 years shorter than 4 years (iPhone 4S)...

mobilemann

this is true.

Cael

What's the point of an OS upgrade if so many features of the new upgrade is removed?

Kacho_ON

Security and choice. Remember that the updates aren't forced.

mobilemann

updates absolutely are forced, but only on android. (not on iOS, unless managed by MDM) you are completely wrong.

cy_n_ic

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! HA!

mobilemann

i often laugh on this site, as the commenters seem to hate knowledge about mobile platforms. Samsung forces updates. iOS bugs you but doesn't force.

Cael

Security updates can made regardless of an OS upgrade.

mobilemann

This comment is only made by idiots. API's which allow apps to function, MDM etc. Also, the 4s had BTLE, which was the cause of the 4 not getting lots of stuff like airdrop etc, and typically has almost all the features.

Cael

Right. Buy an iPhone 4S then if you're so satisfied with saying you're on the latest but can't do anything.

mobilemann

i use a 4s still as a remote. It auto senses my daily driver phone and can tell how many feet away from it i am via BTLE, when i get within range it makes sure specific lights are on and runs a few scripts. I can do more with a 4s than you can with a s6. It's more about the user than it is about the platform, (unless it's WP, as there it's about dev support:D)

In general, i find the people who know the least about mobile platforms are the ones trying to make out they are more intelligent for their platform choices. (i was on android for 4 years as well:D) Kids are stupid tho:D

Cael

Mhmm sure old man

mobilemann

what do you do with your phone? I'll explain how i did it if you want. There's unfortunately nothing close to roomie on android:(

I'm just one of those guys who actually uses his phone to tinker. Sorry you only use yours for facebook, while simultaneously making fun of users of other platforms. It looks super sad.

Cael

I don't use Facebook. Nice try, Jan.

mobilemann

please, continue to focus on that one part of the comment. What a joke / fanboy.

Cael

I honestly don't care about your iPhone 4s. I don't care how you did anything. I don't use my phone for Facebook. I wasn't making fun of users on other platforms. It was the truth: If you're satisfied with a 2 year old phone which has less features than a current gen running the same OS, then use it.

mobilemann

it's cool if you wanna change your tune now. I just think your funny. Fanboy is fanboy. I called you an idiot, because of your posts. SImples.

Cael

I'm not changing my tune. I still stick to everything I said. You're the hypocrite. My day still goes on.

Marcelove

WHAT??? For real dude, you expect anyone to believe that you can do more things with your iPhone than I with my Nexus 4? Same applies to iPhone + jailbreak versus Nexus 4 + root... If kids are stupid, old folks are retarded....

mobilemann

ok, what do you think you do that's more advanced than triggering home automation scripts via bluetooth location / signal strength? I used to write launchers for jailbroken devices. You're just a stupid kid who doesn't know better. I would love to know what you do with your n4 that's cooler, because my setups with android were a joke, requiring xposed, autovoice, a ton of modules just to do what the 4s can do natively with roomie.

how are kids this fucking stupid?

Grayson

API updates on Android are done mostly though Google Play Services updates, and all Android phones going back to Gingerbread (including devices that were launched 5 years ago) are getting Google Play Services updates. That's why Android devices running Gingerbread can still run most of the latest apps. iOS requires a full system update to get the latest APIs, which is why practically none of the latest apps work if you are more than one iOS version behind. So it's an Apples and oranges comparison really.

mobilemann

this is true for smaller updates, but thumb print frameworks? No. Lockscreen notifications? no. Any thing that's NEARLY substantial cannot. It's becoming more of a joke every year.

Name a single feature of a decent size that's made it through a play services update. The amount of partially true things that come out as facts from the mouths of these commenters makes me really wonder man.

Grayson

I'm not talking about Android features being added through Play Services updates. I'm talking about basic APIs that allow apps to run on older versions of Android. But if you want me to name a feature that was added with a Play Services update, how about the ability to remotely locate and erase your device. That feature didn't come out until Jelly Bean, but Gingerbread and ICS devices got it as well through a Google Play services update.

I am an iOS and Android app developer. I assure you that it is MUCH easier to support Gingerbread (released in 2010) or ICS (released in 2011) in my Android apps than it is to support iOS 4 (released in 2010), iOS 5 (2011), or even iOS 6 (2012) in my iOS apps.

On the other hand, Xcode only support the previous 1 or 2 versions of iOS. The Xcode 6 update last year removed support for the iOS 6 SDK and removed the iOS 6 simulator! This made it a real bitch to continue support for iOS 6. If you implement a new feature on iOS and want to support old versions, not only do you usually have to write different code for each iOS version, but if you want to debug and test on iOS 6, you're pretty much out of luck.

That's why about 95% of iOS apps only support one version back, while probably more than half of Android apps support versions as far back as Gingerbread, and probably 80% of Android apps support back to ICS (from 2011).

mobilemann

why didn't you just keep the older xcode installed? They live happily next to each other. I've developed for iOS as well, but not android, and think you're greatly exaggerating things.

Grayson

Right, you can do that at first. Until you start adding swift code or some other thing that the previous version of Xcode doesn't support, and then your project will no longer build in the older version of Xcode.

mobilemann

people run xcode 4,5 and 6 side by side. You're incorrect.

mobilemann

(but i'm not surprised you continually know dick about what you're talking about, it's a pattern with you)

Grayson

Let's look at the requirements for a few popular apps on each platform...

Let's see. Pretty much every Android app I clicked said it at least supported back to 4.0 (2011) devices, and some 2.3 (2010), yet ONLY ONE app I clicked supported iOS 5 (2011) and NONE supported iOS 4 (2010). Every single app supports farther back on Android than it does on iOS. It's not a coincidence. It's because old Android devices continue to get support for the latest basic APIs through Google Play Services updates.

mobilemann

I can cherry pick too, if you would like.

Grayson

I just clicked random apps in the popular section and a few apps I have installed. But please, try cherry picking 10 popular apps that support an older version of iOS than the Android counterpart supports. I doubt you can.

mobilemann

no, you cherry picked. I could do the same thing pretty easily.

mobilemann

also, your scale is a joke: for example: iOS 6 compatible apps go back currently to the 3gs, or the birth of android (around 2008, along the g1) You don't think of this, because you're a massive fucking fanboy.

mobilemann

there are entire sites dedicated to the older OS's. the 3gs supports iOS 6.0 and was released about the time of the G1, if you want to be fair (you clearly don't)

What a joke.

rxbot

Does it really matter for iOS though since the older devices are still getting updated? Someone above said 4/4s was getting iOS 9 so it isn't like those people are missing out?

Grayson

No, it doesn't matter, because they are still getting updated as you said. My point was that updates are less important on Android because Android apps typically support older versions better.

Grayson

The Nexus 4 was released in 2012 and has been getting updates for almost 3 years now, with no sign of stopping. Just because Google says a minimum of 2 years of updates doesn't mean they won't update for 4 years. A minimum is just a minimum, not a maximum. Apple doesn't promise anything.

Andreu

I'd like to agree with you..but the article says "Major OS updates are guaranteed for two years from release." it doesn't say "for at least two years"..am I missing something?

Grayson

Exactly. It says major updates are guaranteed for 2 years. After 2 years, they are not guaranteed, but nowhere does it say they will definitely stop providing updates. They might stop updating after 2 years, but they also might not (as demonstrated by the Nexus 4).

Andreu

you're right..pretty logical indeed..:D

JT3

As a long-time Nexus owner, I'm happy to hear this, especially since the Nexus line hasn't seen much Google love lately. However, the realist in me notes that this isn't the first "update policy" Google has made regarding Nexus devices, and they're not exactly known for sticking to such policies in the past.

To be honest, the Galaxy Nexus was not up to spec to continue the line, by the time the Nexus 4 was released the Galaxy one could be considered mid-low tier (though I personally would've called it low tier). The GPU is what held it back from official KitKat if you ask me, the PVR540 is far too old for modern requirements.

Kevin

Nexus Q.

Pedro Martins

How this relevant? Nexus devices are rounding errors, irrelevant on the world outside Android forums.

Google should be their Job and solve the Android update issue. It's 100% their fault.

Miku is Best Vocaloid

How so? They release the source code to the OEMs and they're the ones who decide which devices get what updates.

Brian

Although technically you're right, but its time for Google to figure out this update issue. We all understand how Android works but the outside world even the tech media have no idea so in turn Google gets ripped for it. It's time to Google to figure it out and get everyone on their latest software.

Miku is Best Vocaloid

That sounds nice on paper but it's technically impossible in practice.
Unless they try to make Android work like GNU/Linux distributions, which would be a pain in the ass I would asssume.

Brian

I'm no engineer so i have no idea how it would work but they have to figure it out. The benefit would be great.

Miku is Best Vocaloid

As I said, it's a nice pipe dream but a nightmare in practice.

Brian

I'd put my trust in Google engineers than some random guy on the internet no offense.

D4niel

Notice how those Google engineers you're putting your trust in haven't "solved" this issue? Perhaps it's because that "random guy on the internet" is correct.

Brian

Actually no this is incorrect and goes back to what he was saying in the first place. Where Samsung's android is there is to maintain just like htc or Motorola. Google at one time believed that this is the way to go so I doubt they have put any real effort into making sure everyone is upgraded because it was their belief in Android. But now that it's a complete shit show hopefully Google understands that updates are important and need to be redone completely.

At one time Google beleived in the open Android do with it what you want hopefully they realized they were wrong

Luca

Unless Google forces OEM to not modify the core of Android there is nothing Google can do...

Brian

That's what I'm kind of hoping for tbh. Google is at a point that the software is great (other than camera app) I would like to see them exhibit greater control. Everybody's software is garbage (except camera)

D4niel

"Actually no this is incorrect and goes back to what he was saying in the first place. Where Samsung's android is there is to maintain just like htc or Motorola. Google at one time believed that this is the way to go so I doubt they have put any real effort into making sure everyone is upgraded because it was their belief in Android."

I don't know what you're talking about. I scrolled up to try to figure out what you mean by it "goes back to what he was saying in the first place", but I know what you're referring to. I assume by "he" you mean Miku is Best Vocaloid, since that's who you were responding to originally and who I was referring to in my comment.

Normann

A pain in theirs. A blessing to every user's. That the OS base can't continually be updated, but has to be flashed is Android #1 problem to me. And reason #1 reason why I'd like Project Ara to succeed.

mobilemann

it's not technically he's right; he's completely right.

Brian

That's what I just said? He's right but it doesn't mean there is no issue.

Soraya Xel

False. Google decides go/no go on every device and every update any OEM ships. Google has complete control over what the OEMs are and aren't allowed to do per the Android MADA agreement.

Miku is Best Vocaloid

That sounds like a lot of bullshit. Can you please post your sources?

mobilemann

i think he's saying if they provide an upgrade that doesn't work google can term their license. This kinda makes sense to me, but i don't know if it's true.

Soraya Xel

Google is very afraid of people knowing how they monopolize the platform, so the current terms are secret and confidential. (Most people would not be fans of Google if they knew how Microsoft-y Google really is.) But terms have leaked from time to time thanks to lawsuits.

4.3 is about gapps... not android. Another words you need their approval before launching a device wit h the Google Play store, and all their services.... has nothing to do with Android updates.

Soraya Xel

The device is the implementation. Every implementation must be approved by Google in writing prior to launch. And if you look at 4.4 as well, Google mandates that they be provided four of each device as well.

Luxferro

You're talking about device launches. Not updates. Someone can't just create an Android phone, and preinstall google apps without their approval.

It's why 3rd party roms separate the gapps from the rom, so google can't sue them.

Soraya Xel

Did you read 4.3(b), Luxferro?

Luxferro

Yeah, I just did. How I'm interpreting it is: If you launch a device specific for X carrier in Y region, and it's approved. You have to get further approvals to launch the device with any changes to X (carrier) or Y (region).

Another words. If I make a phone, and make a deal with Verizon to sell my phones in their stores. I need Google's approval to include their apps and services. If I take the same phone, and make a deal with Sprint, I need to get Google's approval again. If I sell it in Europe, with one of their carriers, I need Google's approval again.

So another words, if I sell my phone unlocked, and non-carrier specific then I only need their approval once. If I sell to different countries, then I may need individual approvals for each one.

Brian

A secret is something f now commonly known or find. You can literally search Google and see the agreement between Google and manufacturers and download it. That's not a secret and is a known fact of Android

PC_Tool

Um. No.

You misunderstand.

Google is the gatekeeper - but the OEMs are the ones that decide to bring the update to the gates.

Google cannot force an OEM to update a device an OEM does not want to update. In that regard, the responsibility lies 100% on the shoulders of the OEMs.

Soraya Xel

False, PC_Tool. Google has complete control of the terms of their agreements with OEMs. OEMs have to agree or they are put out of business.

PC_Tool

*laughing*

Ah. Didn't realize you were out in fantasyland.

Current state, in the real world, is as I described. If Google wanted to lose their major OEM partners, yes; they could force the update issue.

Brian

Where would the go?

PC_Tool

Samsung has Tizen, and Android can be forked a million and one ways from Sunday without having to kowtow to Google.

If Google were to implement updates as a requirement for Google licensing/apps, you can bet OEMs would be jumping ship left and right.

Brian

Honestly if Samsung tomorrow said were switching to tizen it wouldn't matter long term. Hardware company's are finding it harder every year to make money. Where hardware vendors will make money in Android is in services which Samsung isn't great at and doesn't have an extensive service package like Google. I just dont think Samsung is in a position to just drop Android. There sales have been way down and will continue to fall. Hardware will be less and less important and samsung wouldn't risk losing alot of its users. Way too much risk in the marketmarket where third operating systems are struggling. So while it may sound nice in your head in reality its not an option for Samsung not now

Soraya Xel

OEMs have no choice but to accept. That's how monopolies work.

PC_Tool

Yeah. Okay. You bet..../smh

Bernhard Mähr

You are wrong. Everyone can release an android phone (like amazon) without asking google. Only if you want to add Google Apps you have to get an agreement with Google.

Soraya Xel

Congratulations on posting the most irrelevant comment of the year.

Pedro Martins

No, as long it is Google's Android and they demand something from OEMs and carriers (OHA), it's their responsibility alone. Just because they are scared of Apple cutting them out of iOS and tried to grow at all costs, it doesn't matter to the current situation.

Marcel Ulbrich

It is relevant because this very site is targeted towards Android enthusiasts, who are, as you pointed out, more likely to own a Nexus device.

Soraya Xel

Exactly, if Google wants Android to be used in enterprise, platform-wide security fixes is a must.

D4niel

If you think it's 100% their fault, you don't understand the "Android update issue".

Pedro Martins

No no. The Android update issue is just because Google, as a company, was scared, is lazy and incompetent, so they chose the easy way out to stay relevant in mobile at all costs.

Microsoft doesn't have the update issue, neither does Apple, or Blackberry, or Samsung and tizen.

Only Google. I don't care what choices they made, it's time to fix it.

D4niel

Microsoft limits the base hardware platforms that can be used for Windows Phone devices. Blackberry, Apple, and (as far as I know) Samsung are the only ones using their OSs, on their own hardware. This is why they can all supply updates quickly.

Google chose to let hardware vendors innovate while using Android, rather than locking them in to a specific hardware platform.

Other than Apple, how are those other platforms you mentioned doing?

Pedro Martins

For their OEMs? As good as Android.

D4niel

Are you seriously saying that Blackberry and Windows Phone devices are selling as well as Android devices?

Pedro Martins

No. You asked how good those OEMs were doing, and regardless of hoe many devices they sell, they make/lose the same money on phones.

D4niel

I said, "How are those other platforms doing". Not "how are those companies doing".

LittleConfucius

With this, Google is dead to me.

Sruly J

Why?

Cael

He might be a Nexus 4, 7 (2012), or 10 owner.

LittleConfucius

Because 2 years from release is too little time, at least for me.

Kacho_ON

That is actually pretty disgusting, you would expect this from OEMs like HTC (which they do already) or Asus but not from the people who freaking make Android. I guess Android fans take what they can get.

Miku is Best Vocaloid

Remember that Android is Open Source and that the mad scientists at XDA make 4 year old devices run Lollipop.

mobilemann

how long is this going to be said? Yeah, go AOSP and loose support for 80% of the OEM features included, or the camera doesn't work. I've NEVER had a perfect AOSP rom besides nexus devices, which represent a tiny amount of android devices shipped.

These ancient, incorrect saying need to stop.

Miku is Best Vocaloid

How is it incorrect? I never said that all features would be kept, I said XDA developers make 4 year old devices run Lollipop, which is 100% accurate.

mobilemann

because it indicates it's just an upgrade. It's not. Those caveats ARE major and need to be spoken about before updating. You are trying to make this assumption, and it's completely mis leading. That's why.

Miku is Best Vocaloid

Misleading how? I stated they can make Lollipop work in old devices, I'm not implying anything, just that they can make it work.

mobilemann

yeah it's still misleading there. "Work" implies it would work, not just boot and possible use all of the radio's if you're lucky. Have you ever flashed a AOSP rom on a sammy device?

mattcoz

But, that's what it was before, this is giving you another year of security updates.

You do understand this is a commitment to push updates for at least 2 years, right? This is about setting a minimum duration for updates. It's not like Google is going to look at the Nexus 5 when they're contemplating Android 5.3 and suddenly say, "whoops, we already made the 2 year mark, screw this piece of junk."

If you think about it, 2 years of updates might be a painfully long time to support a failed product, like the Nexus Q. (Yes, I know there are exigent circumstances, but take my point.) Nobody wants to commit to supporting a product that has fewer users than the Blackberry Storm 2.

Don't overreact to a promise of a base level of support. Wait to see if Google actually cuts it short, then complain at that point.

Cool

Yeah. I agree.

Just look how long Google supported the Nexus 7 2012. It went from Android 4.1 to Android 5.1.1 in 3 years, which is really good support, in my opinion. If they keep that level of support up as a minimum, I think that they are in good shape. My two cents.

SoulstormS

You mean do it the Apple way, releasing updates that cripple the performance of the old phones, like iOS on older iPhones ? Thanks but no thanks, i`d rather be stuck on an older version of the software than the latest one that works like crap...

Luca

Now Google is dead? When until yesterday they promised 18 months? lol Also, again, it's the MINIMUM...

Miku is Best Vocaloid

They're dead because they promised 3 years of security patches? How shocking!

syxbit

what took them so long!
Glad they finally did the right thing. As a consumer you can now make an educated decision

I recently bought a first gen Android One for $45, and it's very, very good for the price. However, the Android Ones have been so unpopular that I believe Google will just abandon them sometime next year.

fredgrip

if thats the case they wouldnt be releasing more Android one devices.
google need to stick with 1 device per country per year

Randa Hafza

i will keep my N6 for late 2017, sweet !

blackice85

I'll very likely keep mine well until 2016 at least. It's very powerful and nothing gives it hiccups, I can't imagine a new phone feeling like anything but an incremental upgrade in practice, even if the specs are technically much better.

Brian

2 years is horrible especially since most people don't buy the phone right away. They should of put 3 years major and 4 securtiy

absolutely agree. Also, the phones have become powerful enough that they will be handle future versions of Android without any issues. That was not the case with Nexus One and Nexus S.

nichostetler

You say that now. Let's see what you think in a couple years. I'm sure when the Nexus One came out everyone would have said the same thing.

supert0nes

I think it's more about the maturity of an industry. Televisions are mature devices now, Same with laptops. Phones should really be hitting this point, especially now that many smart phone markets are completely saturated. We see a lot less revolutionary changes and more smaller refinements each year.

nichostetler

That's definitely a good point!

esper256

I agree that devices eventually hit that point. I think phones are still going to be painfully old after a couple of years for the next 3-5 years.

Phones will be mature when they can be constantly measuring all sensors (accelerometer, bt-scan, wifi, gps, microphone) continuously while pinging cloud services to enable amazingly contextual services.

There's still a huge gap in power efficiency to reach that point and still have a working phone after 24 hours of power on time.

There are too many amazing use cases waiting to be enabled for today's phones to be considered mature.

Sure the screens have enough pixels, the frames have enough fun animations, etc. But the evolution of the mobile phone is not yet done.

ajerman

Phones won't reach maturation until they ARE your computer. We're no where near that on phones. That said, they are getting powerful enough to do standard phone features for a much longer period of time, but we're only just touching the surface of what they will be able to do in the future. The future of phones is as your primary computing device. Sit down at your desk, wirelessly connect to a display and input devices, and off you go.

Tom Kersting

The Nexus 4 is nearly three years old and runs 5.1 just fine.

The Nexus 5 is nearly two years old and still performs extremely well.

Yeah, devices are definitely able to handle future versions of Android without any issues.

SSUUURRRRRE

HAHAHA exactly. JUST FINE! When it slows down, boy does it slow down. Try using it as your daily driver, and tell me how often you find stutters and freezes for 5-9 seconds at a time. Hit app overview button and wait. I have a Nexus 4, love it, for the first half of the day and dread it the second half. Have to reboot it often to clear ram and I run TRIM quite often to help keeps things speedy.

I really can't wait till the next Nexus 5/6 are announced (if they are; if not I'll be picking up the Moto X 2015).

None of what I said was said out of spite btw.

Daniel D’Oleo

Sorry but my almost 3 year old Nexus 4 I'm writing right now is working like a charm with 5.1.1 and I don't see lag or stutter even in overview. Only complaint is UI redraw sometimes, like when disabling plane mode.

N4

I'm using a Nexus 4 with 5.1 as a media player / backup phone daily, and it's performing at the same level, or even better, than my Nexus 5. Before you say I'm not taxing it too much: I have it synced to most of my accounts except WhatsApp, and also installed most of the productivity apps I have on my N5.

But maybe my experience is so mixing better than yours because I completely wiped the device before flashing the factory image.

Stuart Filson

I have an aging Nexus 4; performance is great, Godawful battery. Why do you have both a Nexus 4 and 5?

calmdownbro

Even the Nexus 4 can handle 5.1.1 easily. Which got released 3 years ago.

3 years is entirely reasonable.

someone755

Quite honestly, the Nexus One was fully capable of running ICS.

ds

Wut? Lollipop runs smooth on a four yr old Galaxy Nexus. That's Lollipop made by custom devs with custom drivers.

Nocturne

I'm typing this on my $500 laptop purchased in 2012. It's now running fine with Windows 10. Why should I expect less for a $1000 phone?

Soraya Xel

Major OTAs are unimportant at best, downright malicious in many cases (see Android 5.x). The security patches are what matters, and three years is good. (One year on the market, plus two years on contract.)

MJ

Malicious? No, the words you were looking for were buggy or not finished.

Marcel Ulbrich

It sure isn't the greatest thing in the world, but nowhere does it say that that is the maximum time, they'll support a device, only that that is the minimum.
Say, you bought a Nexus 6 when it was new late 2014, it came with Lollipop (an OS that still only 18% of the devices have today, as we learned the other day), a year later you get M, another year later you get N in 2016. The first update you don't get is O in late 2017.
Even if you buy the device after it's been out for a year, you're still on the very latest OS version for 2 years and then you'll have a three year old phone, that's still on a newer version than 80% of devices (including those that just came out).

Brian

So why not just come out and say 3 years major and 4/years security.I get what your saying tho . my nexus 5 will see 3/major update

Marcel Ulbrich

I assume, it'll be two major updates plus having the latest version from the get go, which other devices only ever get half a year later.
Going back to the example of the Nexus 6 and comparing it with some OEM's device that would have come out at the same time, you'd have bought it late 2014 with KitKat (a one year old OS at the time), then you'd get Lollipop the following spring, in autumn, M comes out, the OEM device will have it by the following spring again, or maybe even later, because by then, the device is considered old and the manufacturer pumped out forty newer devices that they need to take care of first, and after that, you'll never get an update again.

So the Nexus 6 is up to date for at least a full three years, the OEM device's software is outdated from day one, will lack behind the next major update for 6 months and that's it, meaning while the N6 will be on Android N, which is still the latest in summer of 2017, the OEM device will be stuck on L (or maybe M) at the same point, after having received every update late (which means it falls out of the OEM's update schedule even faster).

Add to that that Nexus phones are popular developer devices and you can be sure that you'll get custom roms that work (near) perfectly forever. I'm absolutely certain that there will be fully working Android M on the Nexus 4. If Google doesn't provide it, the community will. That would mean, this time next year (2016), the Nexus 4 from 2012 will still be up to date, which even makes it four years.

TechGuy22

so what will be added to android o or any big devices like the note 4, s4 htc m8/9 that they won't be able to run 0? I don't get why they called these processors "powerful" yet 2 years later they are absolute

Hope You Learned Something :)

So you want to regress or stay and get comfortable. Geez folks, wake up. Things will undoubtedly move forward. You get to use your time, you can't cheat time and the progression of things. You will cheat yourself not using that time to move forward.

Calling things "powerful" comes with tons of context. In that exact time frame/period, that processor was considered powerful. The nexus 4's S4 Pro was considered powerful, and it still is, if you are comparing it to that generation of processors or lower-mid range processors of now, mind you powerful is somewhat if not entirely subjective. If I hand someone a Nexus 4 in a developing country that has used a flip phone for their entire life, they might say it is powerful. Things are powerful depending on the surroundings, use-case, perception, and tons of other things I can't possibly start to list. Mind you performance on a phone/device isn't entirely based on the processor's capabilities to run software. If you swap an fast SSD for a slow one you notice a drop in performance, if you further swap for a Hybrid drive, you will notice even more drops in speed albeit intermittently, and further down to the lowest and cheapest of all 5400rpm HDD. I can guarantee you that you will definitely see a drop in performance. In the same way storage technology at the time when 5400rpm what new, it was considered 'powerful'. As sad as it is to say, we humans are physically powerful at peak ages of where the body and recover quickly from injuries, when we can do amazing things with our minds. That all is considered powerful at that time, place, exact culture, and like I said tons more I can't possibly imagine listing. When you become of old age you will be a hell of a lot less capable. That is why we are pursuing the progression of technology to push 'boundaries'. Intel's SandyBridge lineup was considered powerful, now look where Haswell and Broadwell have taken performance to. The iGPUs are at a whole other level.

So to question 'why call something powerful when it will become obsolete in 2 years', is undoubtedly ignorant. In that case you might as well regress and crawl back into the caves of our origin.

Hope that helped you understand the reasoning behind it all in a much more broad perspective. Have a great day and use your time to push forward.

Ross Sage

Technology evolves, becomes faster etc...

Think you meant obsolete?

PC_Tool

The least amount of security support a Nexus device will get is 18 months *after* the last sale of the device from the Google Play Store.

A small number of users might only see 18 months - the vast majority will see much more than that.

I think this is the best point not every body buys a device as soon as it has been released. I still tend to think they should extend support an additional extra year would on both sides would change it from mediocre to extraordinary.

Not everybody gets to buy a Nexus device as soon as Google releases it. Case in point, my Nexus 5 from Sprint - Sprint delayed the release of the N5 for 6 months after other carriers had it, and even then, they only released the 16GB version, with no plans to release the 32GB version.

Yes, folks, I have been using a N5 with 16GB for the last two years. My hope is that the new refresh N5 rumors come true exactly as rumored. I want a 64GB phone please.

mobilemann

"a small number might only see 18 months"

history says you're wrong.

PC_Tool

What history? I'd love to see the Google Sales numbers you apparently have regarding EoL Nexus devices on the Play Store...

mobilemann

my gnex, for example, says hi.

PC_Tool

Your gnex is a little older than 2 years+18 months if you purchased it directly through the Play Store.

I said: Support under the newly announced update policy means the lest amount of support anyone buying a Nexus Device from the Play Store will have is 18 months,

What you've said so far seems to have nothing to do with that.

mobilemann

you've qualified your statement further with "from the play store". And my winning comment was just in reference to the worst phone i think i've ever bought, the gnex. (horrible battery, multiple issues, and the display gets worse and worse.)

but whatever you need to feel you've "won" this little exchange:D

PC_Tool

"you've qualified your statement further with "from the play store"."

Oh, I have, have I? "Further"?? Scroll up.

Original post you responded to:The least amount of security support a Nexus device will get is 18 months *after* the last sale of the device from the Google Play Store.

Huh. So. There's that, then.

While I agree the G'nex sucked major donkey-balls, I really do believe you must have misread my original post. (It happens. It's okay. Really.)

No-one "wins" if it was nothing more than a misunderstanding.

mobilemann

>No-one "wins" if it was nothing more than a misunderstanding

oblig 'you new here?'

mobilemann

i did scroll up. you qualified it after your initial statement. You could have edited tho. Either way, not enough of a mis understanding to get all "grrr" over so w/e.

The coverage elsewhere of this was much better than it was here and included details such as that.

OP said 2 years was crap and it should be 3-4. My (unedited) response to him was an attempt to explain that Google had agreed to 2 years from launch, or 18 months from the last sale via the Play Store - whichever was greater.

That's where you came in with your "history" comment I still don't fully comprehend. (As this was a new announcement from Google there would be no history to speak of...)

So, how 'bout them Bears?

Zsolt V

I will make sure I mark my calendar so on day 730, I can say, that's it, Brian is cut off.

Zsolt V

Why not 5 years? How about 10? And then you would bitch that your 10 year old phone is no longer smooth.

Cool

Yup. Ironically, people already do that with iOS on older iPhones and iPads.

They throw it in the face of Android owners that they get updates for much longer but then they bitch and whine when these updates make their devices slow and sluggish. In other words they want to have their cake and eat it too.

q

Wow! Talk about completely missing the point.

Flip Jumpman

I agree, 2 years is not that long especially nowadays with hardware being so good. I would like to see a minimum of three years and security updates should really be for the life of the device if hardware/software capable.

Mehmed

before this it was just 18 month instead of 24...and there was the line of end...
now you have even 36 month patches... what do you want?

That's great for is, but they still want to make money, not just update our phones for free.

JohnA

That's exactly what I was thinking as I read that article. And going by all the up votes that you're getting, there are many others in agreement too.

DJ Subterrain

Agree, especially since Google had a go at the manufacturers for the splintering versions.

Don

2 years is no where near good enough. I will NEVER do anything "significant" (banking, or any other work that I might do on my "real" computer) on a cell phone that does not get security updates. And I do NOT plan to buy a new phone every 2 years (those days are gone). There is no reason a cell phone can't last 5 or 6 years. But with no security updates, it's a just not a useful device. My opinion.

I came to look at Nexus phones because I'm tired of all the extra junk installed by Samsung and by AT&T. Apps BURNED IN and uninstallable.. apps that I do not and will not be using. If you want to pre-install an app, fine... But jeez... I don't "do" Facebook... yet it's on my phone and there forever. If "the manufacturer" felt a need to try to ram Facebook down my throat, why would they not simply install Facebook if they want the phone to "come with" it? And then let me uninstall it if I don't want it? (I guess $$$, but what a horrible waste and annoyance).

And I came to look at Nexus phones because I wanted something that WILL be up to date with the latest security patches... And I guess if I buy the Nexus 5, it's "updates for a little bit..." sigh.

person

Nexus devices will continue to receive major updates for at least two years"

Given the word "continue" and the lack of specification of start date, I wonder if this is referring to a prior policy stating that Nexus Devices are supported for at least 2 years or that all currently supported devices will continue receiving updates for 2 years.

fredgrip

They will continue to receive update starting year 1900 for 2 years. are you frekkin nuts?? start date is obviously the date the phone is released.

lack of specification of start date?? did you read the article?? read it first
"Nexus devices will continue to receive major updates for at least two years and security patches for the longer of three years from initial availability or 18 months from last sale of the device via the Google Store. "

person

They specified from initial availability or 18 months for security updates, not major updates. It's likely from initial release for major updates as well but the language is a bit odd.

fredgrip

you have serious problem reading. Its clear as crystal.

* 2 years of major software update starting with initial availability
* 3 years of security update starting with initial availability or 18 months from the last sale of the device via play store which ever is greater

so the security update is guaranteed for 3 years but device might get security update longer than 3 years based on when it was discontinued on the play store

ADofCLE

I'm good with the 2 major updates, especially since it means I'll get two new flavors to play with after Lollipop. M, then whatever else it is after that. To be honest, I'll probably ditch my my Nexus 6 for the Huawei Nexus anyway.

blindexecutioner

Any reason? The size of the two will be nearly identical.

person

USB Type-C and fingerprint scanner?

ADofCLE

The more I think about the finger print scanner, the more I think it's practical, and the more I want it. And I'm all about giving the underdog a chance.

I will however, be upset if they don't have front firing speakers.

Steve Barry

Heck yes for front firing speakers. I have an iPhone 6 for work, and I do like the fingerprint scanner. I don't have any security (pin, password, etc) on my N5, but the fingerprint would make it easy.

ADofCLE

I've been spoiled by it because of the Nexus 6.

Adam A. Galas

For the love of the 6" screen and front facing speakers I will cling to my Nexus 6 like a drowning man to a floating log.

The reason? I've been ruined by the Nexus 6 and simply cannot accept specs that don't at least match them.

How long until we have another 6" Nexus phablet? Probably a long time.

Especially given the Nexus 5 uses quick charge 1.0 not quick charge 2.0. The fastest I have seen my Nexus 5 charge on a charger is a tad over an hour.

Brian

Yea I'm estimating very well could be 45 to an hour from completely dead. But the charger is great

fredgrip

USB type C in itself support fast charging but if you are pointing out OnePlus 2 not having fast charging then One Plus 2 does not have Type C. it has type C socket with USB 2.0 spec.
I have a feeling next nexus will have qualcomm fast charging

Colonel JK Stern

monthly updates??? is this becoming Windows??

kris

See, they will always complain.

Colonel JK Stern

ALWAYS.

JD

It pretty much already is.

ano

Are you stupid ? We must get daily security updates.

Colonel JK Stern

hahaha my mistake

Guest

Should be 2 year from when the model is discontinued not from when it's released.

Grayson

It more or less it. It says 2 years from release or 18 months from discontinued date, whichever is longer. Most likely 18 months from discontinued date will be longer.

TechGuy22

wow, only 2 years so nexus 6 2014 will be supported until 2016/17? that's crazy. this is a 600 bucks device with great specs. it should be able to have a life time of upfrade.
i dont have one btw

Luca

At least two years! God, it's a very simple sentence...

TechGuy22

while apple gets iphone 5/5s support until got knows when. power devices like this shouldn't have been limited to 2 years updates

spovat

again, that's at LEAST two years...

TechGuy22

doesn't mean shit.

Luca

Apple has a policy about updates? How many years they keep updating their products?

Zsolt V

They will soon, don't worry. . They simply cannot not respond to the security promise.

Zsolt V

But what you say does?

sproc

Big deal. Apple stopped selling the ancient 4S only late last year. For them to release ios 9 for it is no big deal.

Oh, and your picture is fooling no one. Go home to appleinsider.

flosserelli

In case you didn't know, iOS updates for the latest Apple devices is not the same update for older devices. They omit parts that do not run well (or at all) on legacy hardware. Don't feel bad if you were not aware of this. Apple goes to great lengths to keep it out of the spotlight.

TechGuy22

i guess no update is better than update

flosserelli

I wouldn't say that. All updates include security patches for affected devices. But don't be fooled into thinking iOS 8.4 on your two year old iPad Air is the same iOS 8.4 on your iPhone 6.

mrjayviper

of course it doesn't. hardware limitation. as an example, why would apple include the Apple Pay features on iOS 8.x for iPhone 4s when it doesn't have the hardware.

I'm guessing both devices still get the security updates

mobilemann

"But don't be fooled into thinking iOS 8.4 on your 2013 iPad Air is the same iOS 8.4 on your iPhone 6."

it is. Completely, you incredible fanboy. You keep talking about stuff you have no idea about.

mobilemann

if this makes you feel better. The point is the API get's increased, and the device can support older apps. Also ~ this has been more due to hardware constraints in the past, like the 3gs being pushed out because of btle support.

you don't know enough about the opposition to talk about it. Fanchild.

flosserelli

Lmao. My girlfriend has an iPad mini, my son has a iPhone 6, and I just came back to android after using an iPhone 6 for 3 weeks. So I definitely "know something about the opposition". But you keep right on talking out of your ass and assuming people know nothing about what they are saying.

Sorry you are so butthurt. Actually, no I'm not.

mobilemann

you obviously are an example of owning without knowing.

ProvoAggie

Apple leaves a lot of features out of new OS updates for old phones and if you do your research, you'll find that a lot of people can't stand how poorly the new iOS versions run on older hardware. I've known a lot of people that have ran out to upgrade their iPhone because it became unusable with an OS update.

Zsolt V

Who are you responding to? Stop being such a little bitch and go buy an Apple device.

mark

Well if we're going to compare platforms, I just installed windows 10 on a 5 year old netbook. Try that with a 5 year old ios phone or tablet. Oh, and unlike ios, I actually got all the latest OS rather than a different version pretending to be the latest. And it didn't make things slow (performance actually improved - 20s off my boot time).

mrjayviper

Since you're using a PC/laptop as an example, OS X El Capitan (10.11) supports starts at iMac mid-2007.

LIfetime of upgrades. Umm... You realize developers, QA, managers, etc. have to get paid to make sure that it works on your old device, right? Factor that in and $600 bucks doesn't stretch as far as you think. And if those devs are busy with your 8 year old phone, they aren't working on new stuff.

No, your ideals are ridiculous.

cnccnc

I know, right? It's not like Microsoft supports 10 year old Netbooks that cost $199 new. It would be ridiculous to even suggest such a thing.

JD

APK?

Sruly J

#SOONBACKANSWER

kjmlg

I understand AP needs to earn referral money, but Nexus 6 / 9 / Player links to Amazon are simply out of context. I expected the links to point to OTAs or factory images.

Android OS devices and maybe apple devices have reached a point that prices should be lower while specs are higher, no point investing money if itll get technically better in 3-5 years...that's why all phone manufactures don't need to release a phone every year, but the term "keeping up with the Joneses" is how America lives by, so they need to rush crap out every hear and not care about a newly released device a year before.

Rob H.

So Android M maybe the end of the line for the Nexus 5?

Brian

Oh it def is

Cool

Perhaps. But it will receive the aforementioned security updates all throughout 2016.

Come next fall, it will likely be the end of the line. Pretty good support actually.

That's great, but what about the other 98% of unpatched devices in the world...

Google

Burn!

Daggett Beaver

As I commented above Samsung just announced the same monthly security updates for their phones. In fact, I think they announced their policy before Google, although it might be based on cooperation with Google.

ConLawHero

Will these be OS updates, as in 5.1.X, or will this just be a Play Services or other type of update?

I only ask because I like Xposed and being in it's alpha stage on Lollipop, it's temperamental at best.

Luca

OS update...

ConLawHero

Hmmm... decisions decisions. I really like Xposed to alter a few things, but is it worth the security trade off? I mean, I'm not a noob and take precautions to protect my device from malicious crap.

I feel like this policy might be the end of Xposed if it means that Xposed will require constant updates to run.

The 2012 Nexus 7 is now 3 years old, so it probably won't get Android M. The 2013 Nexus 7 is 2 years old meaning it will be supported for 1 more year

FrancoMacagno

I dont think so... Im just speculating but M will probably be released September-November, and the 2013 Nexus 7 was released on July. However, according to this new policy it will continue to receive small security patches for 1 more year, but not M.

selonmoi

"Nexus devices will continue to receive major updates for at least two years.."

At least, not at most.

The Nexus 9 was a total flop. I doubt Google is ready to abandon its last successful tablet.

Andreu

I'm not giving up..I still hope Google will update the Nexus 4 to M as well..the big step was with lollipop, M is just a "better lollipop" and I'll be really surprised if google doesn't update the N4

O’s Fan91

Welp, if their was any doubt, I guess this confirms the Nexus program will continue to live on at least for a little while longer :)

Daggett Beaver

Samsung just announced the same security update thing for their phones. I looked for that story on Android Nexus Police but didn't find it anywhere. Did I miss it?

aRvInD

So Won't Nexus 4 taste Android M ???

:-(

flosserelli

I doubt it. Nexus 4 has been living on borrowed time. I was surprised it got lollipop.

Rod

Turns out it didn't. :(

Some_Guy40

Well the Nexus has been somewhat behind on security updates up to now. OEM devices tend to get third party fixes far more often, certainly the generic unlocked units anyway, US carrier devices might not, but I wouldn't know, I'm not American.

Still doesn't make me want one though, I'm just not impressed by the hardware, at any price point.

justin

So if i got an android M(alt ball) device, i could get android N(ouget) and android O(reo), but i couldnt get android P(eppermint patty) on it?

thanks!Have a great day

I read that as Moth Ball. Please do not ever write it in that manner ever again hahaha.

F4uzan

I image that as my next nightmare (Moth Ball, I hate insects)

b0b

All these OCD people that could not sleep because libstagefright and 'think of the security' will now be able to rest until the next flaw is found. Remember: each time a security issue is found in Android, 100 AP readers die horrible death.

Cool

Here's my take on this. You are getting three years of being on the latest version of Android, which really isn't that bad in my opinion, plus they aren't specifically stating that you're cut off at that point, but that it is the minimum.

My only wish is that with tablets they would give us an extra year because people tend to keep tablets a little longer than phones. So maybe give tablets 4 years of being on the latest version of Android.

I didn't understand how these patches will be delivered. OS update via OTA? Or Play Service update?

jg

OTA. It will update the libraries in /system.

Nuno G.

"As for Stagefright, the patch is now live for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, Nexus 10, and Nexus Player. It's going out in waves, so give it some time."
What this means?!?
It comes in what form?!? Google services update or OTA ?!?

godutch

I think it will become much harder for root exploits

Daggett Beaver

Good point. It might break root deliberately.

Bernhard Mähr

Where are the new factory images?

NubCake

kinda dissapointing, i was hoping for 3-4 years, like Apple devices get...

J.J.

Have you used a 3 year old iPhone on the newest software. I have not but I know many who have and they instantly buy new iPhones

I just hope the nexus 7 2013 gets Android M. It just turned 2 last week.

Gonza

mmm good and not so good. Hope these patches or monthly OTAs do not check the system partition for changes...or bye bye root. It's going to be a PITA to install the OTAs and re-root once a month ...

DuckingGold

That'swhat you get for rooting. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Just_Some_Nobody

Whoopdfreakindo!

Now use your size to preasure the OEMs to do the same. Security is a big issue. I don't care as much if my OS isn't updated to the latest, but give me freakin' security patches for gawd's sake!

Eric Hoch

If Samsung is doing it, LG can't be far behind, right?

Also, can we get some GPE love too?

Timothy Balmer

Wish thegot updates til it just wasn't possible anymore instead of setting dates like this...iPhone 4s is getting ios9 and its only a dual core. It supposedly will have same features as Android m, my nexus 4 can run 5.1.1 just fine fine. I know Google can optimise the code to run on a quad core of they want. Let's just hope they are just trying to cover there butts when they have to many projects going or cause I got a nexus thinking I would get updates until it wasn't possible. If I see cm making ports for phones that are old of the newest software and OEM's don't then I just think they're lazy and bent on greed. Let's just hope Google doesn't get that way...or I might as well get an iPhone and Apple can have my money. I mean let's look at it this way if I always get the newest updates and get mad because its slow I'll buy the newer nexus phones knowing at least I'll get all the updates. I don't care really...I'll get cm if I have to. Heck Google could just copy paste other people's work from cm or what not and optimize it if they want to be lazy and I'd be happy.

It's quite funny how people are referencing the Nexus One or the Galaxy Nexus, both of which are devices with pretty specific hardware limitations in the GPU department. You CAN make them run a newer OS but you'll be sacrificing things to get it to work.

2 years is a reasonable period in all honesty. The hardware moves way too fast as it is and there is no way anyone can stop this, so you cant expect an OEM to just drop so far behind the competition just to provide longer updates. Not receiving the next big Android version is also not that big of a deal now, a lot of Android's features are now separated and updated through Google Play, then you have the security updates for another year after update support drops...I know where people are coming from, but keep in mind that at the end of the day, we're talking about companies that need to keep pushing products on customers.
The only way I can see this going wrong for the Nexus line is if the prices are on-par with the Galaxy S6. If the prices are along the lines of the Nexus 5's, then I see no reason for mass complaining.

ThEGr33k

Hope android M is out before 31st October! My Nexus 5 wants it :)

RustyTechGuy

Just curious but doesn't HTC and Samsung do this already to some extent except at a slower rate. Doesn't the HTC Service Packs that get downloaded every once in awhile contain security updates for Android. Just curious.

Fellwalker

It is merely a way of enforcing upgrades to the latest version of Android.

nope

Not good enough. Two years is still way too short, especially for those who dont buy a phone at release. Its a Nexus. Its one model. No need to account for multiple factors. Google cant argue that they dont have the resources to do it, when part-time volunteer custom ROM developers are able to do it for several models of phones.

Benedict

Android update solution:
Google has to provide a low-end version of Android for any old and outdated device from all manufacturers. After that, all future updates are directly received from Google. The devices are unpaired from the manufacturer and the provider. This way all Android devices could be updated immediately.

Elettroяave

Can i install this OTA while my n5 is Rooted and unlocked? Answer please :)

Rod

Turned out there is!

Kamil Kolasiński

Do you have a habit... of refrying old threads? Cause I happen to know that replying "Looks like not.", then deleting it and writing "Turns out there is!"; on a 10 month old comment seems a bit rude. People might think you're not aware of The Netiquette... However, since you're here, have a biscuit. I just opened some. Care for some tea? 😊

Rod

No, no.

I ended up here whilst googling for an information I needed to reinforce my argument in a Reddit discussion. I was bored, so I decided to take a look at the comments, and I saw yours.

It's funny to see past expectations, and how things turned out.

And I had written "Looks like not" in a way to dismiss your question, like "There won't be M for this device?" - Looks like not, because there actually is.

Do you understand? Sorry, but english is not my mother tongue.

Anyways, thanks for the biscuit!

Sojeezy

So...wheres the update or factory image for the Nexus 6. Any chance you guys can write about that. Seems like Google is treating Android updates the same way OEM's do